Drax Slams Promoted Women MP's

South Dorset MP Richard Drax has hit out at the promotion of several female Tory MP's on his blog.

It followed last week's cabinet shuffle at which a number of women MP were promoted to cabinet positions.

Mr Drax has written a blog on the subject which reads as follows:

'TOKENISM has burst upon us like a thunderstorm.

From ministerial appointments, through a recall bill, to newly elected MPs being taught to be honest and have integrity.

First, I have no problem with women getting top jobs.

But, they, like their male counterparts, must get there on merit, and not just because they are women and a quota needs to be filled by 2015.

Experience counts, too.

The learning curve in the Commons is steep and my intake is still learning the ropes.

An MP’s life is busy enough, but a Minister’s even more so.

Perhaps it would be wiser to tackle the shallow end first, before venturing out of your depth.

Before the Night of the Petticoats, as it’s being dubbed, the Queen’s Speech referred to a recall Bill.

This was a knee-jerk reaction to various shenanigans by a tiny handful of MPs whose conduct was brought into question.

A recall would be triggered if ten per cent of the electorate signed a petition.

I fear the system would be open to abuse, with petitions being sought on deeply contentious issues, or on vexatious or politically-motivated grounds.

MPs are meant to be ‘Honourable’, and if that position is breached by dishonourable behaviour, they should submit themselves to their Association, for it is they who select in the first place.

Ultimately, it is you, the voter, who has the final say at each general election.

Finally, gesture politics continues to rear its head in public life with a parliamentary committee calling for newly elected members to attend an induction course to learn about the ‘seven principles of public life’, including integrity and honesty.

I feel it’s a sad reflection on modern politics that this is even being mooted.'